Using the USGI Compass - Part 2

An overview of the USGI compass types, the construction and parts, how to use each feature, and demonstrations of how to travel, sight and read and lock in azimuths.

Be sure to watch part 1 first, or this won't make any sense.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• compass
• navigation
• landnavigation
• landnav
• tritium
• USGI
• mil
• degree
• milliradian
• mgrs
• grid
• map
• bearing
• azimuth

[Wiichamp5]

what if i have a plastic one thats liquid dampened?

[shoobe01]

@Wiichamp5 Check for other videos I have on using baseplate compasses.

[AManInTheArena]

Hey, excellent videos. I have one tip for you (I'm not sure if you presented this one):

When using the compass-cheek hold to sight a terrain feature, you can close the sighting lens down and it will lock the floating dial. It's a quick way to get your azimuth without having to keep sighted in.

Thanks for posting these videos!

[shoobe01]

@AManInTheArena I find it hard to get people to do this right. They tend to turn the compass as well. So, I'll show it in person, but tell the individual if they shouldn't be doing it like that.

Some other compasses like the M2 (Brunton Pocket Transit, pretty much) have manual access to the lock (it's a little button) for this exact purpose. I wish this did as well.

[onehitkill]

how do you figure out how far something is using mils?

[shoobe01]

@onehitkill Not following the question. Mils are angular measure. "Far" implies linear distance.

[macjmillsx]

Very informative series of videos, thanks for sharing!

Btw- has anyone told you that you sound like Jeff Goldblum? ; )

[tabutog]

thank you sir! very informative!

[crabtrap]

just a TIP: BE CAREFUL WITH taking readings while the compass is on the ground! many areas have iron ore,shallow utility pipes/lines or even old buried steel. so take a standing reading to compare to make sure they are consistent!

[rmstudio]

How many say this guy is " Jeff Goldblum" In undercover.. LoL. 

[iamoogabooga]

lol mine doesn't lock

[Wiichamp5]

@Wiichamp5 wait nevermind im figuring it out, and i can ask my bro when he's home from iraq on the 19th. :)

[adlerbr12]

i just want to walk in the forest and out of the forest , can i not just use the arrows, in other words if i walk in east can i not just walk back out west?

[duane2072]

@onehitkill Mil = Unit of Angle, your looking for the Azimuth on the ground for plotting on maps. (The azimuth is laying flat on ground in a triangulation) Mil-dot reticle-equipped scope, the distance to an object can be estimated with a fair degree of accuracy by a trained user by determining how many angular mils an object of known size subtends. (The azimuth is standing upright in a triangulation to determine distance.) Really confusing, just accept it. LOL